Mines ROTC cadets prepare a service flag, flown for those students
currently deployed in military service, during the annual Veterans Day Salute
on campus.
Rich and Trudy
Wells have stepped up to help upgrade the newly named Rich and Trudy
Wells Veterans Resource Center at South Dakota Mines. The center has long served
as a resource for veteran students, providing camaraderie and support to ensure
success. The Wells’ gift to the center provides ongoing support and is part of
their $1 million gift to “New Heights: The Campaign for South Dakota Mines.” The
donation will help fund the renovation of the Surbeck Center on campus
including improvements to the current veterans resource center.
Cody Marshall, a senior metallurgical engineering
student who serves in the South Dakota National Guard, says the Rich and Trudy
Wells Veterans Resource Center was key to his success as a student. “This
center is one the main reasons I’m sitting here today as a senior,” says
Marshall. “Without this support network, without the friends I’ve made here,
without the help of the staff connecting me with resources on campus, I don’t
know if I would have made it through those first few crucial semesters at
Mines.”
Both Rich and Trudy Wells studied chemical
engineering at South Dakota Mines. Rich graduated in 1982 and Trudy in 1984.
The couple went on to successful careers including top positions at Dow
Chemical and 3M.
Supporting veterans has always been important to Rich
and Trudy, and particularly because their son is an Army Captain. Their donation
will help veterans successfully transition to university life as well as
educate the campus and future employers about the strengths veterans bring to
the classroom and the workforce.
“We also need to let the corporate world know that
South Dakota Mines has a large veteran population and that we are preparing
them,” says Rich. “That will bring more companies in to recruit because they
want to hire veterans.”
The Rich and Trudy Wells Veterans Resource Center
will see upgrades to the facility located in the lower part of the Surbeck
Center on the Mines campus. The design for the upgrades is now underway. The
center is an important part of the university’s top ranking in
the nation for its support of veterans and the 100% job placement for veterans in their
field of study after graduation.
The Veterans Club at Mines is an important part of
the Rich and Trudy Wells Veterans Resource Center. Each November the club hosts
its annual Veterans Club Chili
Cookoff. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8, starting at 10:30
a.m. in the Surbeck Ballroom on campus. Part of the proceeds will go to South Dakota Service Dogs, a charity that
connects veterans with trained service animals.
On Thursday, Nov. 10, the university will host its
annual Veterans Day Salute starting at
10:45 a.m. with the raising of the service flag outside the Surbeck Center and
continuing with a speaking event inside. Dr. Bill Spindle, vice president for finance
and administration, will deliver remarks.
The public is welcome to attend both events.